Putin Calls Ukraine's Leadership a Criminal Group, Says It Clings to Power for Enrichment

The comments were delivered to military leaders via state media, marking a fresh escalation in the Kremlin's delegitimization narrative.

Overview

During a visit to a command post of Russia's 'Zapad' grouping, Vladimir Putin said Ukraine's political leadership is no longer political leadership.
He alleged at a separate meeting attended by the Chief of the Russian General Staff that a group since March of last year usurped power in Ukraine.
Putin claimed this group maintains control under the pretext of continuing the war with Russia to pursue personal enrichment.
RIA Novosti, a Russian state news agency, published the remarks, reflecting official Kremlin messaging.
The statements advance Russia's long-running portrayal of Ukraine's government as illegitimate and corrupt, with no independent evidence provided in the reports.